Rear Main Seal Job - Any special steps after Tranny removal? (1 Viewer)

[eLX470]

Hey All,

I am getting ready to swap a transmission into my 98' LX 470, I unfortunately was dealt a blow with the strawberry milkshake of death ( radiator failing and pulling coolant into the transmission) when I installed my Amazon.com purchase Denso unit a few months back. I have not written out the entire escapade of what happened but I strongly recommend that you don't buy anything from Amazon, especially if that fulfilling seller is 'parts geek'... that post will come soon so stay tuned if interested around this ordeal - heads up, it sucked.

I wanted to do a few items while I have the transmission out. With the engine sitting at 380K miles, I figure no matter what I should do the rear main seal as preventative maintenance.

My question is: After the transmission is removed, what special steps do I need to take in order to get to the rear main seal?

I know that I need to remove the flex plate - but what comes next? Do I need to do more large-scale disassembly to get to the oil seal retainer? Or is it just the bolts holding it on and it should pop out?

ALSO - for those of you that have had to take transmissions out for whatever reason, any advice on preventative or proactive items I should service while I have it apart?

Thank you all once again for the kind help and posting - I really appreciate the collective wisdom and support as I bounce back from terrible QA!

 

[saucebox]

Paging @128keaton, who probably knows more than most of us what all is involved.

 

[128keaton]

Paging @128keaton, who probably knows more than most of us what all is involved.

Lol.

Unfortunately, I never actually removed my flex plate, so I'm not sure what else is involved re: getting to the rear main seal. I'd go ahead and flush your transmission cooler lines while the tranny is out. U-joints would also be easy since you have to pull both shafts anyway. Any sort of t-case bearing/seal thats giving you trouble, now would also be the time to address. Removing the tranny was pretty straightforward, honestly. You can do it!